Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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WORKBENCH WITH COLLAPSIBLE PEGBOARD
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
Embodiments of the invention relates generally to workbenches. More
particularly, the invention relates to workbenches having a pivotable and
collapsible
pegboard panel attached thereto.
2. Description of Prior Art and Related Information
The following background information may present examples of specific aspects
of the prior art (e.g., without limitation, approaches, facts, or common
wisdom) that,
while expected to be helpful to further educate the reader as to additional
aspects of the
prior art, is not to be construed as limiting the present invention, or any
embodiments
.. thereof, to anything stated or implied therein or inferred thereupon.
Workbenches typically include a frame having a top and a plurality of storage
sections disposed therein. Such storage sections can include, for example,
cabinets,
drawers, shelves, or the like. Typically, the workbench frame is provided as a
unitary
member, where packaging and shipping container size is often defined at least
by the
.. size of the frame.
Some conventional workbenches may include additional features attached to the
frame. Such additional features can significantly increase packaging and
shipping
container size or at least require the end user to perform significant
assembly steps.
In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a workbench product that can
.. include additional features without require the end user to perform
substantial assembly
steps and without requiring a large quantity of additional components that are
separate
from the workbench frame assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention provide a workbench comprising a
workbench frame; a plurality of storage regions defined within the workbench
frame; a
pegboard attached to a back surface of the workbench frame, wherein the
pegboard is
pivotable between a first position, where the pegboard extends above a work
surface of
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the workbench frame, and a second position, where the pegboard is positioned
adjacent
a back side of the workbench frame.
In some embodiments, the plurality of storage regions includes a plurality of
drawers.
In some embodiments, the workbench further includes a work surface disposed
on a top side of the workbench frame.
In some embodiments, the workbench further includes wheels removably
attached to a bottom side of the workbench frame.
In some embodiments, the workbench further includes at least one handle
removably attached to at least one of a left hand and a right hand side of the
workbench
frame.
In some embodiments, the pegboard includes one or more slots formed across a
portion of a width thereof, wherein storage bins can be removably secured into
the one
or more slots.
Embodiments of the present invention further provide a workbench comprising a
workbench frame; a plurality of drawers defined within the workbench frame; a
pegboard; first and second brackets disposed on the back side of the workbench
frame,
the first and second brackets pivotally supporting the pegboard, wherein the
pegboard is
pivotable between a first position, where the pegboard extends above a work
surface of
the workbench frame, and a second position, where the pegboard is positioned
adjacent
a back side of the workbench frame; and the first and second brackets each
include a
pivot pin pivotally connecting the pegboard to the first and second brackets,
at least one
upper hole disposed above the pivot pin, at least one lower hole disposed
below the
pivot pin, wherein at least one bolt extends through the at least one lower
hole and into
the pegboard to secure the pegboard in the second position and the at least
one bolt
extends through the at least one upper hole and into the pegboard to secure
the pegboard
in the first position.
Embodiments of the present invention also provide a workbench comprising a
workbench frame; a plurality of drawers defined within the workbench frame; a
pegboard; first and second brackets disposed on the back side of the workbench
frame,
the first and second brackets pivotally supporting the pegboard; and at least
one stopper
disposed on at least one of the plurality of drawers, the at least one stopper
movable
between a first position, that permits the at least one of the plurality of
drawers to move
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between open and closed positions, and a second position that prevents closure
of the at
least one of the plurality of drawers, wherein the pegboard is pivotable
between a first
position, where the pegboard extends above a work surface of the workbench
frame, and
a second position, where the pegboard is positioned adjacent a back side of
the
workbench frame.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will
become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description
and
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Some embodiments of the present invention are illustrated as an example and
are
not limited by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like
references may
indicate similar elements.
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a workbench assembly according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 illustrates a detailed perspective view of a workbench top and
extending
pegboard surface of the workbench assembly of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a detailed side perspective view of the workbench assembly
of
FIG. 1, showing insertion of a bolt to secure the pegboard surface in an
upright,
deployed configuration;
FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed side perspective view of the workbench assembly
of
FIG. 1, showing a transition state of the pegboard surface between the
upright, deployed
configuration of FIG. 3, and the stored configuration of FIG. 5;
FIG. 5 illustrates a detailed side perspective view of the workbench assembly
of
FIG. 1, showing the pegboard surface in a stored configuration;
FIG. 6 illustrates a detailed view of a drawer, having a work surface disposed
therein, in an extended configuration with stoppers deployed to lock the
drawer in the
extended configuration; and
FIG. 7 illustrates a detailed view of the drawer of FIG. 6, showing the
stoppers
in a drawer-use configuration, permitting the drawer to be freely opened and
closed.
Unless otherwise indicated illustrations in the figures are not necessarily
drawn
to scale.
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The invention and its various embodiments can now be better understood by
turning to the following detailed description wherein illustrated embodiments
are
described. It is to be expressly understood that the illustrated embodiments
are set forth
as examples and not by way of limitations on the invention as ultimately
defined in the
claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS AND BEST
MODE OF INVENTION
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used
herein,
the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the
associated
listed items. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are
intended to
include the plural forms as well as the singular forms, unless the context
clearly
indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises"
and/or
"comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated
features,
steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the
presence or
addition of one or more other features, steps, operations, elements,
components, and/or
groups thereof.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms)
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one having
ordinary
skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further
understood that terms,
such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as
having a
meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant
art and the
present disclosure and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly
formal sense
unless expressly so defined herein.
In describing the invention, it will be understood that a number of techniques
and steps are disclosed. Each of these has individual benefit and each can
also be used
in conjunction with one or more, or in some cases all, of the other disclosed
techniques.
Accordingly, for the sake of clarity, this description will refrain from
repeating every
possible combination of the individual steps in an unnecessary fashion.
Nevertheless,
the specification and claims should be read with the understanding that such
combinations are entirely within the scope of the invention and the claims.
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In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the
present
invention. It will be evident, however, to one skilled in the art that the
present invention
may be practiced without these specific details.
The present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the
invention
and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments
illustrated by the
figures or description below.
As is well known to those skilled in the art, many careful considerations and
compromises typically must be made when designing for the optimal
configuration of a
commercial implementation of any system, and in particular, the embodiments of
the
present invention. A commercial implementation in accordance with the spirit
and
teachings of the present invention may be configured according to the needs of
the
particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s),
result(s),
component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any
described
embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included,
adapted, mixed
and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using
their
average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation
that
addresses the needs of the particular application.
Broadly, embodiments of the present invention provide a workbench having a
frame disposed on a set of wheels with a plurality of storage solutions, such
as drawers,
disposed within the frame. The workbench can include a work surface on a top
surface
of the frame and one or more handles permitting movement of the workbench as
desired. The workbench can include a pegboard surface that is pivotable
between a
deployed configuration, where the pegboard extends upward from a back surface
of the
workbench, and a stowed configuration, where the pegboard is stored adjacent
the back
surface of the workbench. Typically, in the stowed configuration, the pegboard
surface
does not extend beyond either a plane defined by the work surface or a plane
defined by
a bottom surface, opposite the work surface, of the workbench frame.
The workbench may be packaged and shipped in the stowed configuration,
allowing the user to easily fully assembly the workbench assembly. Such
packaging
may further reduce the overall volume needed to fully package the product,
while
limiting the time and labor required for assembly thereof.
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Referring to FIGS 1 and 2, a workbench assembly 10, also simply referred to as
workbench 10, can include a workbench frame 12 that supports a plurality of
storage
solutions therein. The storage solutions can include drawers 18, shelves,
cabinets, or
the like. While a plurality of drawers 18 of particular sizes in in a
particular
configuration are shown in FIG. 1, it should be understood that one or more
drawers 18
may be substituted by an alternate storage solution. Further, the width or
depths of the
drawers 18 may be changed according to the needs of the end user. For example,
two
vertically disposed drawers may be replaced by a single drawer to provide a
single
drawer of increased depth.
The workbench assembly 10 can be disposed on wheels 20. The wheels may be
removable from the frame 12 for shipping. For example, the wheels 20 may be
disposed inside a drawer 18 to reduce packaging volume. The wheels 20 may be
similar
to those known in the art and may include pivoting wheels, wheels with a
braking
feature or the like. In some embodiments, at least one set of wheels (a set
being define
as the wheels on one of the left side or the right side of the workbench
assembly 10)
may be pivoting. Further, in some embodiments, at least one set of wheels may
include
a braking feature.
In this manner, the workbench assembly 10 may be easily moved about on a
surface. To further assist in the movement of the workbench assembly 10, one
or more
handles 22 may be disposed on the frame 12. In some embodiments, one handle 22
may
be disposed on each side of the frame 12, opposite each other. Like the wheels
20, the
handles 22 may be removable from the frame 12 and, for example, stored in a
drawer
18, to reduce packaging volume.
A work surface 16 may be disposed on a top of the frame 12. The work surface
16 may be affixed to the frame and, in some embodiments, may be removable
therefrom. In some embodiments, the work surface 16 may be the top of the
frame 12,
where no additional structural element is disposed thereupon. In many
embodiments,
the work surface 16 may be a solid structural member disposed on the top of
the frame
12. For example, the work surface 16 may be formed from wood, such as a
hardwood
including rubber wood, as one example.
A pegboard sheet 14, also referred to simply as pegboard 14, may be attached
to
the back of the frame 12. The pegboard 14 can include one or more large holes
26
formed there through, where such holes 26 may be suitable for routing wires,
or the like.
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In additional to standard pegboard holes, the pegboard 14 can also include one
or more
slots 24 cut therein. The slots 24 may provide an attachment region for other
storage
components, such as storage bins 28. The storage bins 28, for example, may
include a
curved back member that can fit into the slot and slide downward onto the
pegboard 14,
thus supporting the storage bins 28 to the pegboard 14. Of course, other
attachment
mechanisms may be used to secure the bins 38 to the pegboard 14.
Referring to FIGS. 3 through 5, the workbench assembly 10 can permit the
pegboard 14 to move between a deployed configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2
and 3,
for example, and a stowed configuration, as shown in FIG. 5. In the deployed
configuration, the pegboard 14 may extend above a plane defined by the work
surface
16. Typically, as discussed below, the height of the pegboard 14 above the
work
surface 16 will be less than a height of the frame 12.
The pegboard 14 can be attached to a bracket 30 disposed on each side of a
back
portion of the frame 12. The bracket can include at least one upper hole 32
and at least
one lower hole 34. A pivot connection 38 may be located between the upper hole
32
and the lower hole 34, where the pivot connection 38 can pivotally attach the
pegboard
14 to the bracket 30.
When the workbench assembly 10 is shipped to a user, it may be in the stowed
configuration (FIG. 5) to minimize packaging volume. A bolt 36 may be disposed
through the lower hole 34 and into the side of the pegboard 14 (or a frame
member 14A
that surrounds the pegboard 14, for example) to retain the pegboard 14 in the
stowed
configuration. To assemble the workbench assembly 10, the user can simply
remove
the bolt 36 from the lower holes 34 on each of the brackets 30, pivot the
pegboard, as
shown in FIG. 4, into the deployed configuration, and insert the bolt 36
through the
upper hole 32 and into the side of the pegboard 14. Typically, the frame
member 14A
of the pegboard will include one or more holes 40 that engage with the bolt 36
when
passes through the lower hole 34 in the stowed configuration and when the bolt
36
passes through the upper hole 32 in the deployed configuration.
In some embodiments, the side of the pegboard 14, or a frame member 14A
disposed about the pegboard 14, may include a female threaded hole 40
configured to
mate with the threads of the bolt 36. In this exemplary embodiment, the user
only has
one component (the bolt 36) on each side of the frame 12, to secure to move
the
pegboard 14 into the deployed configuration.
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As described above, in some embodiments, the pegboard 14 has a height that is
less than the height of the frame 12 of the workbench assembly 10. By being
configured in this manner, when the pegboard 14 is in the stowed position, the
pegboard
14 may be disposed entirely adjacent a back surface of the frame 12, without
extending
above a plane defined by the work surface 16 or below a plane defined by the
bottom of
the frame 12. Thus, when in the stowed configuration, the packaging volume is
only
minimally increased due to the presence of the pegboard 14 being adjacent the
back
surface of the frame.
Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, in some embodiments, one or more of the
drawers 18, such as drawer 18A, may include a stopper 60 that may be moved
into a
locked configuration (as shown in FIG. 6), where the opened drawer 18A may be
prevented from being closed. In some embodiments, the stopper 60 may be
disposed on
either side of the drawer 18A such that, when moved into the locked
configuration, the
stoppers 60 are adjacent the frame 12, thereby preventing closure of the
drawer 18A. In
the unlocked configuration, as shown in FIG. 7, the stoppers 60 may be
disposed inside
the drawer 18A, permitting opening and closure thereof.
In some embodiments, a drawer filler 62 may be disposed inside the drawer to
provide a work surface thereupon. When a user of the workbench assembly 10
desires
additional workspace, they can open the drawer 18A and use surface provided by
the
drawer filler 62 as additional workspace. With the stoppers 60 in the locked
configuration, the drawer 18A is prevented from closing, thereby providing a
safe, non-
movable, additional workspace.
In some embodiments, the drawer filler 62 may be configured to be removable
disposed in the drawer 18A. Typically, the height of the drawer filler 62 may
be nearly
flush with the sides of the drawer 18A. The drawer filler 62 may be removed
from the
drawer 18A to provide a standard drawer storage solution. While the figures
show one
drawer having the drawer filler 62, such a design, including the stoppers 60,
may be
utilized on any of the drawers 18 of the workbench assembly 10.
The workbench assembly 10 may be made from materials known in the art and
.. suitable for the purposes as described herein. In some embodiments, metal
components
of the workbench assembly may be formed from stainless steel, for example.
All the features disclosed in this specification, including any accompanying
abstract and drawings, may be replaced by alternative features serving the
same,
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equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless
expressly
stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic
series of
equivalent or similar features.
Claim elements and steps herein may have been numbered and/or lettered solely
as an aid in readability and understanding. Any such numbering and lettering
in itself is
not intended to and should not be taken to indicate the ordering of elements
and/or steps
in the claims.
Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill
in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Therefore, it
must be understood that the illustrated embodiments have been set forth only
for the
purposes of examples and that they should not be taken as limiting the
invention as
defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that
the
elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be
expressly
understood that the invention includes other combinations of fewer, more or
different
ones of the disclosed elements.
The words used in this specification to describe the invention and its various
embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly
defined
meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification the
generic structure,
material or acts of which they represent a single species.
The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are,
therefore,
defined in this specification to not only include the combination of elements
which are
literally set forth. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an
equivalent
substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements
in the
claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more
elements in a
claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain
combinations
and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one
or more
elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the
combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a
subcombination or
variation of a subcombination.
Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person
with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly
contemplated as
being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious
substitutions now
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or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within
the scope of
the defined elements.
The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically
illustrated
and described above, what is conceptually equivalent, what can be obviously
substituted
and also what incorporates the essential idea of the invention.
